Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th July saw the East Anglia Transport Museum hold their latest event with the “Seaside Special” taking place. As the name probably suggests to you this event had a seaside theme and transport wise that obviously meant lots of vehicles running with a connection to the seaside, whilst there was also Punch and Judy, fish and chips and ice cream on offer.
On the tram front there are currently three operational trams which come from a seaside system, all of them from Blackpool. They all ran at various points over the weekend – Marton VAMBAC 11, Standard 159 and Brush Railcoach 634.
Alongside the trams there was also a rotating selection of trolleybuses. This included the only operational open top trolleybus in the world, Bournemouth 202, as well as the world’s oldest operational trolleybus – Copenhagen 5. In addition Bournemouth 286, Portsmouth 313 and Hastings 34 were also used as part of the seaside theme.
As with most special events held at the museum there were also various buses running free trips around the local area from the museum’s main car park, whilst within the museum grounds a 1946 built AEC Regal I, a single deck open bus in its original Maidstone Corporation identity, operated journeys around the trolleybus circuit.
All three of the operating trams seen in one shot as 11 and 634 wait at Chapel Road stop as Standard 159 has just come back with a journey from Hedley Grove and will now return to depot.
Another view at Chapel Road where 634 and 11 sit and wait. With the trolley of Marton VAMBAC 11 turned it appears that will the next to head into the woods.
A view down at Chapel Road (taken from the open top Bournemouth trolleybus) with 634 and 11 on the left. The Maidstone single deck open top AEC Regal I is on the right and Bournemouth trolleybus 286 is behind the trams.
Having recently enjoyed a repaint Bournemouth trolleybus 202 was well used over the weekend. Its seen here on a circuit of the trolleybus route.
OR 2 the Maidstone open single deck bus which was converted like this to be used on routes to Hastings is also seen having just passed the tram depot.
Buses await their next duties in the car park (converted to a bus station for the duration of the weekend!). Closest to the camera is Eastern Counties Bristol Lodekka FLB6 LFL57 and next to that is Eastern National Bristol KSW 2383. Lowestoft 21, an AEC Regent II, completes the scene.
AEC Reliance C28 in Maidstone & District livery sits opposite the trolleybus depot as Brush Railcoach 634 comes back from the woods.
Marton VAMBAC 11 and Brush Railcoach 634 are joined by Hastings Tramways Company trolleybus 34 at Chapel Road. (All Photographs by Bryan Grint, 12th & 13th July 2025)